The Hawks took Yuki Yanagita off the active roster today after he hurt his right shoulder while making a diving catch in the 5th inning of Tuesday's game against the Nippon Ham Fighters. He is scheduled to have shoulder checked out at a hospital in Fukuoka on the 28th. The team thinks Yanagita could miss two to three weeks.

Atsushi Nomi took a batted ball of his left ankle while pitching in the 9th inning of today's game against Chunichi. He was removed from the game after the play as a precaution and had ice on his foot while boarding the team bus.

Yuki Saito threw 100 pitches in the bullpen at Kamagaya today. It was the most he ever threw since he hurt his right shoulder last year. He is scheduled to pitch two innings in relief in a Ni-gun game against Lotte on the 30th. Assuming no problems, he could be pushed to five innings in a Ni-gun start in late-July. That could put his return to the Ichi-gun roster some time in August.

Brad Bergesen started a Ni-gun game against Softbank on Tuesday and gave up five runs on eight hits over five innings of work. Kentaro Nishikawa followed and allowed four runs on three hits over two innings in relief.

The Naha District Public Prosecutor's Office, Okinawa Division officially decided not to prosecute Matt Clark for breaking the law on illegal stimulant use and possession because he voluntarily stepped forward and the stimulant in question was an ingredient in the medicine he was taking at the time. They felt there was no criminal intent.

The media learned on Monday that Daniel Cabrera may not be ready for opening day. Brad Bergesen, however, might be able to take his place -- he is scheduled to start a Kyoiku League game against Hanshin at Naruohama on the 8th.

Cabrera suffered a few setbacks during spring camp that cut back on his training time and the Dragons feel he may be ill-prepared to last a full season in the starting rotation. Bergesen, on the other hand, has been working diligently and team officials feel he might be able to find a spot in the rotation, even though they considered him a reliever. Chunichi will use his Kyoiku League game to see if he can be used as a starter.

Takuya Asao had his right shoulder re-examined at a hospital on Monday. He was told that he is making steady progress in his recovery. He was also given the green light to begin throwing a little harder.

Takuya Asao will have his right shoulder re-evaluated on March 4. Until then, he will continue to play catch as the team keeps a close eye on his progress. If the inflammation is gone, he will move on to the next step (long distance throwing).

The Chunichi Dragons announced today that they acquired twenty-seven-year-old right-handed pitcher Brad Bergesen from the Arizona Diamondbacks in a "money trade." The Dragons see Bergesen as another arm for the starting rotation.